N52bn Payment for GES Stalls Access to Seeds, Fertilizer – FEPSAN

The Fertilizer Producer and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has said that the non payment of N52 billion meant for the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme, a model of input and subsidy delivery to farmers in the country, by the federal government, has stalled access to and use of improved seeds and fertilizer. The chairman, FEPSAN, Thomas Etuh stated this at the stakeholders workshop on ‘‘The Draft Fertilizer Quality Control Bill and the National Agriculture Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (NAGESS) Bill’’ organized by FEPSAN in partnership with the Alliance For A Green Revolution In Africa (AGRA) under the Micro-Reforms For African Agribusiness In Nigeria project.

‘’There was a change in government and while the current administration is studying the GES, outstanding payment for the last GES, which is yet to be paid, although the government has assured that they are working on it, for the agro dealers to get paid. ‘’We are hopeful that the payment would be included in the 2016/2017 budget. A total of N52 billion was expected to be paid for GES 2014 and there was no GES 2015 but, government is working to do a dry season farming this year to have the 2016 dry season farming, which agro dealers are preparing because government has given assurance that payment will be made before the end of the year and if not all part of it will be paid but, we are engaging government and we will continue to engage government,’’ he said. Etuh noted that although the federal government has made several spirited attempts at making the fertilizer industry more private sector driven with varying results, the latest of which is the introduction of the GES in 2012, farmer’s use of fertilizers tremendously increased with also visible increment in the number of fertilizer company and agro dealers, despite the fact that the program only reached less than about 20 per cent of farmers. ‘’Today, Nigeria remains a net importer of fertilizers in spite of its abundant resources. It is worthy to note that significant investments have been made in boosting local capacity to produce most of the basic fertilizers needed in the country but lack of fertilizer laws and policy inconsistency has bedeviled local producers and sometimes force them to close or abandon their plants in spite of the huge markets in Nigeria,’’ he said. Etuh decried that the free access and entry into the Nigerian fertilizer market without a functional regulatory framework has exposed the Nigerian farmers into more danger with more and more cases of product adulteration, underweight bags and other malpractices which are committed by fertilizer manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers as shown by some studies. The Director, Farm Input Support Services (FISS) department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, O.B Jatto noted that need to do a follow-up at the National Assembly on the issue of enforcement authority and subsequent passage of the Fertilizer Bill, publishing of the regional regulations in the national gazette, drafting, legal review and adoption of the Implementing Regulations, making the necessary adjustment on the draft bill to ensure proper alignment with the ECOWAS fertilizer regulations. He added that Nigeria took an active part in the articulation of the ECOWAS rules on fertilizer trade in the region, through the Marketing Inputs Regionally (MIR) project implemented by IFDC between 2003 and 2008 and therefore committed to ensuring its implementation in the country through publishing of the regional regulations in the national gazette.

Mission

To provide a platform for the stakeholders in the public and private sectors of the fertilizer industry to develop effective public private partnerships in order to ensure timely supply of adequate quantity and quality fertilizers; and to promote professional, moral and ethical practices in the industry.

Vision

Attain improved productivity and environmental sustainability of Nigerian Agriculture through balanced and judicious use of fertilizers....Attain improved productivity and environmental sustainability of Nigerian Agriculture through balanced and judicious use of fertilizer...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Contact

2nd Floor Bank of Industry Building 18 Muhammad Buhari Way, Kaduna, Nigeria. Mobile: +234 (803) 3174409 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.